Ti or steel frame for 1st custom -Indy Fab Club Racer

Agonizing over whether to spend the extra $1400 to go Ti rather than steel for a custom Independent Fabrication Club Racer. Seems Ti may actually provide a more supple ride, its lighter, and of course won't corrode, only thing against is added cost.

Plan on using it for everything - typically 25-35 mile, some longer rides, all seasons in Seattle, mainly drier comditions, some city riding but mostly paved bike trails. Mostly fat, some hills. I weigh 175 lbs.

I currently own a steel Colnago Master that rides beautifully but looking for a custom for better comfort and versatility.

Talk to IF about that. Tell them your weight and riding style ect and how you want the bike to behave and they should be the most qualified to tell you which tubes are the best choice for you.
They are a great company who really knows what they are doing and I'm fairly confident that they won't just tell you that you need the one they make the most money from selling.

GGW, not too familiar with the Hampsten bikes, though they look fantastic and Andy is a legend. Local would be nice, as you probably know we also have Davidson and Rodriguez.

However, at this point I've been working with the owner at Counterbalance bikes, an authorized IF retailer. Great guy, great service, great shop and they have been serving me well for a long time now. Also, went to college a few miles from the new IF factory in NH and actually lived just a couple of blocks from the new factory my senior year. not a dealmaker, but it adds a bit to the allure and i like the paint schemes - likely going titanium pearl with white pearl jersey panels.

GGW, not too familiar with the Hampsten bikes, though they look fantastic and Andy is a legend. Local would be nice, as you probably know we also have Davidson and Rodriguez.

However, at this point I've been working with the owner at Counterbalance bikes, an authorized IF retailer. Great guy, great service, great shop and they have been serving me well for a long time now. Also, went to college a few miles from the new IF factory in NH and actually lived just a couple of blocks from the new factory my senior year. not a dealmaker, but it adds a bit to the allure and i like the paint schemes - likely going titanium pearl with white pearl jersey panels.

I understand Hampsten bike just dont look nice they are exelent .i just bought last winter a Steel LDV and i'm blowned away by this bike .I ride on Ti and carbon and if i had to choose one between those 3 i would keep the Hampsten steel bike .Light at 17 pounds and reactive , laterally stiff and verticaly compliant , this bike soak up the road like nothing i,ve ride before .

- The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard and the shallow end is much too large -
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07 Steelman Road Bike
07 Haro Mary XC 29er
91 Toyota P/U
08 iMac 24"

Agonizing over whether to spend the extra $1400 to go Ti rather than steel for a custom Independent Fabrication Club Racer. Seems Ti may actually provide a more supple ride, its lighter, and of course won't corrode, only thing against is added cost.

Plan on using it for everything - typically 25-35 mile, some longer rides, all seasons in Seattle, mainly drier comditions, some city riding but mostly paved bike trails. Mostly fat, some hills. I weigh 175 lbs.

I currently own a steel Colnago Master that rides beautifully but looking for a custom for better comfort and versatility.

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

I suggest saving the difference in $$$ for upscale components or one of those snazzy paint jobs IF is known for.

A custom fit to you steel IF will ride nothing like your other steel bike. It will be better.

It will also still be light. I built my CJ up to 19 pounds with a Brooks B17, Time ATAC pedals and Gatorskin tires. and run of the mill FSA alloy components that are generally viewed as "not light". If I chased the grams then I can easily drop it down to 17 pounds and still get the ride of steel.

Susceptibility to corrosion is probably more a function of neglect than the materials. If you can afford a very nice bicycle then it is safe to assume that you can afford a proper environment for it. I've ridden my 12 yr old steel Sycip MTB on many rainy/muddy rides and a simple hose down at the end of the ride, some Tri Flow in the seat tube and storage in my garage is all it ever wanted to stay rust free.

I would skip all those big name builders, just drive down to see Mike DeSalvo in your area and have him build you a dream bike be it Ti or steel. The only big name builder worth considering is Moots in my book. If you want a nice custom paint job, then have it done by a specialist painter.